LANCASHIRE Spinners suffered their first home defeat, losing to Northumbria 81-74 on Saturday.
Connor Murtagh scored 24 points and had eight rebounds. The former Manchester Giant was 9-of-17 from the field, including six three-pointers, but he couldn’t keep the Bury-based club from dropping to 0-2 in NBL Division One play.
“We played for 38 minutes and they played for the full 40. That’s where we lost the game,” said the Spinners forward Murtagh.
The defeat snapped a four-game win streak, which was bookended by league loses – the other came at Reading Rockets.
Nick George – who added 14 points – converted a momentous zlam-dunk off a steal giving Spinners (8-2, NBL 0-2) a six-point lead before halftime. But Northumbria (7-2) closed on a 5-0 run to only trail 35-34 after 20 minutes.
“We just wanted to stay focused – chip away at the deficit and make sure we got the right looks,” said Northumbria guard Lewis Champion.
Nick George – who added 14 points – converted a momentous zlam-dunk off a steal giving Spinners (8-2, NBL 0-2) a six-point lead before halftime. But Northumbria (7-2) closed on a 5-0 run to only trail 35-34 after 20 minutes.
“We just wanted to stay focused – chip away at the deficit and make sure we got the right looks,” said Northumbria guard Lewis Champion.
Champion then hit back-to-back threes out of the break giving Northumbria its first two leads of the game but Lancashire responded and a seven-point swing restored a 45-42 Spinners advantage.
Spinners’ lead would grow to as many as five, though five three-point baskets to end the third quarter ensured Northumbria carried a 56-55 score line into the final period.
Spinners’ lead would grow to as many as five, though five three-point baskets to end the third quarter ensured Northumbria carried a 56-55 score line into the final period.
Four threes – two for either team – continued the hot performance from distance as Murtagh’s fifth of the game gave Spinners a 64-61 lead.
“We couldn’t match their intensity down the stretch,” said Lancashire coach Neal Hopkins. “They were totally justified in the win.”
Northumbria clawed in front 65-64 at the free throw line before holding its largest lead of four with 4:32. Spinners drew within two but a 6-0 Northumbria run condemned Lancashire to a loss.
Spinners have road league games against Westminster Warriors and last season’s play-off champions Kent Crusaders before returning home on November 7 to play Tees Valley.
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